Zurich
Zurich is a motor casco insurance for the PT market with no online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
Zurich may pay the repairer directly. The applicable deductible (franquia) is always deducted at the time of indemnification payment, even when made directly to the repair entity.
Geographic scope
Portugal Continental, Madeira e Açores
Coberturas de danos próprios limitadas a Portugal Continental e Regiões Autónomas (exceto veículos ligeiros para Riscos Catastróficos, Vandalismo e Greves que ficam limitados a Portugal); Responsabilidade Civil válida nos Estados membros da UE, EEE, Suíça, Croácia e outros países signatários do Acordo entre serviços nacionais de seguros; Assistência a veículos válida em Portugal, restantes países da Europa e bacia mediterrânea não europeia
Unique selling points
- Replacement value guarantee for the first 3 years: in the event of total loss, Zurich pays the full replacement-in-new value of the vehicle rather than the depreciated market value, available across multiple own damage peril coverages.
- Comprehensive travel assistance with five tiers (Base, Complete, Master, Collection, Rental) covering vehicle repatriation, medical repatriation, psychological support after serious accidents and specialist vehicle search for stolen vehicles across Europe.
- Courtesy benefits included as optional add-ons: zero-deposit rent-a-car, taxi service after vehicle pick-up from repair, urgent replacement vehicle delivered within 2 hours, two complimentary car washes per year, and loan vehicle during scheduled maintenance.
- Four glass damage tiers (Base, Generic, Brand, Collection) with no deductible on repair and brand-manufacturer glass available, including coverage for panoramic windscreens and panoramic sunroofs up to once per year.
- Flexible modular structure allowing policyholders to combine mandatory liability (MTPL at €7,750,000) with a wide menu of optional own damage coverages – from basic theft-only to full comprehensive – tailored for both light passenger cars and light commercial vehicles up to 3,500kg.
Coverage limits
Own Damage (Collision, Rollover, Fire, Lightning, Explosion and Glass Breakage)
Optional
Covers damage to the insured vehicle resulting from collision, rollover, fire, lightning, explosion and glass breakage. The insured sum corresponds to the vehicle's new or market value as stated in the Particular Conditions. Repairs are carried out to restore the damaged part to its pre-loss condition. An 'Autoproteção' variant requires the driver to have held a licence for more than 5 years.
Total Loss
Optional
Covers total loss of the insured vehicle resulting from collision, rollover, fire, lightning, explosion, theft, robbery or theft of use. Total loss is defined as disappearance of the vehicle or destruction when repair costs exceed 70% of the vehicle's market value at the date of loss, or when the vehicle has suffered damage severely affecting its safety conditions. Indemnification corresponds to the insured value at the date of loss, less the applicable deductible and salvage value. No deductible applies to this coverage unless otherwise agreed in the Particular Conditions.
Partial Loss
Optional
Partial damage is damage caused to the insured vehicle resulting from a covered loss that is repairable and does not qualify as total loss (i.e., repair cost does not exceed 70% of market value). Repairs borne by Zurich are limited to the maximum indemnification amount applicable in the event of total loss. Covered under the own damage coverages (collision, fire, theft, natural perils, vandalism, etc.).
Theft, Robbery and Theft of Use
Optional
Covers losses or damage resulting from the disappearance, destruction or deterioration of the insured vehicle and its components (including electric vehicle charging cables) due to theft, robbery or theft of use (attempted, frustrated or completed). Where the vehicle disappears, Zurich pays the indemnification due 60 days after the report to competent authorities, if the vehicle has not been found. A deductible as declared in the Particular Conditions applies.
Glass Breakage
Optional
Covers costs of repair or replacement of windscreens, rear windows, lateral windows and essential accessories. Multiple tiers available: Base (up to insured capital per occurrence for panoramic windscreens/sunroofs, limited to 1 occurrence per year), Generic (up to €1,500 per break for panoramic elements, 1 occurrence per year), Brand (up to €2,500 per break for panoramic elements, brand glass, 1 occurrence per year) and Collection (up to insured capital, brand glass). No deductible applies to glass repair; a deductible of €50 applies to glass replacement under the Base tier (Condição Particular 828). Scratches, surface defects and aesthetic defects are not considered breakage.
Catastrophic Natural Perils and Aircraft Fall
Optional
Covers damage to the insured vehicle resulting from typhoons, cyclones, tornadoes, strong winds (when violence destroys objects/trees within 5km radius), water spouts, torrential rainfall (>10mm in 10 min), burst mains/drains/dikes/dams, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, underground fire, landslides, aircraft collision/fall and sonic boom damage. Territorial limit: Portugal Continental and Autonomous Regions unless otherwise agreed. A deductible applies as per Particular Conditions.
Terrorism, Vandalism, Malicious Acts or Sabotage; Strikes, Riots and Civil Commotion
Optional
Two separate optional coverages: (1) Terrorism, Vandalism, Malicious Acts or Sabotage – covers damage resulting from terrorist acts, vandalism, malicious acts, sabotage or acts by legally constituted authorities on such occasions. (2) Strikes, Riots and Civil Commotion – covers damage (including fire/explosion) caused by persons participating in strikes, lock-outs, riots, mutinies and civil unrest, or by legally constituted authorities in response. Both are limited to Portugal Continental and Autonomous Regions. Zurich may cancel either coverage after a claim or alter premiums with 8 days' notice. A deductible applies.
Travel Assistance (Vehicle and Persons)
Optional
Optional coverage providing roadside assistance to the insured vehicle and its occupants. Vehicle assistance includes towing/breakdown (up to limits in Particular Conditions), spare parts dispatch, vehicle repatriation, recovery of stolen vehicle and breakdown replacement vehicle in Portugal (up to 3 occurrences/year, max 5 days each, up to 2,000cc for passenger cars or 2,500cc for commercial vehicles). Persons assistance includes medical repatriation, hospital accompaniment, travel expenses, advance of funds and legal defence abroad. Territorial scope: vehicle assistance valid in Portugal, Europe and non-European Mediterranean basin; persons assistance valid worldwide (except certain benefits Portugal-only). Available in multiple tiers: Base (045), Complete (017), Master (034), Collection (035), Rental (019).
Replacement Vehicle Following Accident
Optional
Provides an equivalent replacement vehicle while the insured vehicle is immobilised due to a covered loss. For accidents: up to 30 days per claim/year. For theft/robbery: up to 60 days per claim/year. For fire: up to 30 days. For other covered losses: up to 15 days. Maximum engine displacement: 2,000cc for passenger cars and 2,500cc for commercial vehicles. Zurich is not obliged to provide a vehicle of electric motorisation even if the insured vehicle is electric/hybrid. Vehicles must be collected and returned to the rent-a-car stations indicated by Zurich. Valid in Portugal Continental and Autonomous Regions (accidents abroad: coverage applies after repatriation to Portugal).
Vehicle Occupants / Driver-Only Cover
Optional
Two optional accident covers for vehicle occupants: (1) Occupants of the vehicle (Condição Especial 015) – covers all persons transported free of charge including the driver, for death, permanent invalidity, temporary incapacity, treatment expenses, repatriation and funeral expenses, worldwide. (2) Driver-only (Condição Especial 028) – covers only the driver at the time of the accident, same perils, worldwide. Indemnification capitals are set in the Particular Conditions. Death benefit is doubled if seatbelt use is proven. Permanent invalidity benefit is doubled when invalidity is 50% or more.
Key conditions
driver_age_experience_limit
For the 'Autoproteção' coverage (Condição Especial 005), the vehicle must be driven by a person legally licensed to drive for more than 5 years. This requirement may be waived if the Accompanied Driving by Tutor special condition (001) is subscribed and all legal requirements for that scheme are met, and the tutor holds a valid licence for more than 5 years. No general minimum age requirement is stated for standard own damage coverages, but premium calculation factors include driver age and licence.
repair_network_requirements
Glass breakage coverages require that repairs or replacements be carried out by a specialised company supplying and fitting glass meeting specifications and standards that ensure the same quality as glass supplied by the manufacturer of the insured vehicle brand. Under the 'Marca' and 'Coleção' glass tiers, works must be carried out by a specialised company or a franchised dealer for the vehicle brand. For own damage repairs, Zurich may repair, replace or pay cash indemnification. Where Zurich indicates an alternative workshop, it bears the towing costs for the transfer.
territorial_scope
Own damage coverages (collision, fire, theft, glass breakage, natural perils, vandalism, strikes): generally limited to Portugal Continental and the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores, unless otherwise agreed in Special or Particular Conditions. For light passenger vehicles, coverages such as collision, theft, fire, glass breakage and natural perils extend to EU member states, EEA countries and other countries party to the Green Card Agreement. Commercial vehicles (non-light): limited to Portugal for some coverages. Replacement vehicle: valid in Portugal Continental and Autonomous Regions.
anti_theft_requirements
No explicit anti-theft device installation requirement is stated in the policy conditions. However, theft or robbery coverage excludes losses resulting from the deliberate abandonment of the insured vehicle, left open and/or with the key inside, in a public space. The vehicle must not be temporarily abandoned open or with keys inside in a public space.
claim_notification_deadline
The policyholder or insured must notify Zurich of a covered claim in writing as soon as possible and no later than 8 days from the date of the occurrence or from the date of becoming aware of it, providing all relevant documentary and witness evidence. Failure to comply may result in liability for consequential damages. For theft/robbery leading to vehicle disappearance, a police report must be filed immediately, and Zurich pays the indemnification after 60 days if the vehicle is not recovered.
deductible_rules
The deductible (franquia) amount or calculation method is set in the Particular Conditions of the policy. It is always deducted at the time of indemnification payment, even when paid directly to the repair entity. For glass breakage (Base tier): a €50 deductible applies to glass replacement; no deductible applies to glass repair. For the Total Loss (Perda Total – Condição Especial 011): no deductible applies unless otherwise agreed. For natural perils: minimum €125 deductible when a deductible regime above 0% is chosen. For terrorism/vandalism: minimum €250 deductible. For strikes/riots: minimum €125 deductible. For temporary loss of use: the first 3 days after the accident are not covered.
Where to buy
Policy specifics
Glass and windows coverage
Optional coverage for repair or replacement of windscreens, glasses, lateral windows and accessories. No deductible applies to repair; a €50 deductible applies to glass replacement under the Base tier.
Full loss determination
Vehicle is deemed total loss when repair costs exceed 70% of its market value or when safety conditions are severely compromised
Bonus/Malus system
Coefficient-based system for premium adjustment based on claims history and driving record
Substitute value coverage
Covers damage at replacement value for the first three years for specific perils including collision, fire, lightning and explosion
Claim notice period
Policyholder must notify Zurich of a claim within 8 days and provide necessary documentation for claim settlement
Territorial coverage scope
Coverage extends to Portugal mainland and autonomous regions (Madeira and Azores) and EU member countries
Contract renewal condition
Contract is automatically renewed annually unless either party gives written notice 30 days before expiry